Seahawks' Geno Smith discusses chip on his shoulder despite contract extension
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith still carries a big chip on his shoulder despite receiving a pretty hefty payday from the organization last week.
Geno Smith worked hard to get his moment in the spotlight.
And in his first year as the Seattle Seahawks' starting quarterback, he did enough to earn a three-year $75 million contract extension. With nearly $40 million guaranteed, it would be easy for Smith to sit back and enjoy the fruits of his labor. But that is not how he is wired.
In fact, after getting paid, Smith is more than eager to keep doing exactly what got him his payday, to begin with.
"I’m going to compete and work hard and have that chip on my shoulder," Smith said on NFL Network. "I’ll never forget those days when I didn’t play.”
He added: "The relief factor is not really there with me. I have a huge chip on my shoulder. I am getting ready for next season. And regardless of if I am the guy or not, I am going to compete, and I am going to work hard and have that chip on my shoulder as if I am not [the guy]."
It was a message very much in line with a Smith who watched the NFL for seven years as a backup, only playing sporadically in unforeseen situations. In the 2022 NFL season, Smith validated the talent that was seen when he played with the New York Jets.
He broke Russell Wilson's record for most single-season passing yards in franchise history. And Smith also provided arguably the greatest one-liner a Seahawks quarterback has ever given.
Following a Monday night victory over the Denver Broncos, Smith utter the now infamous phrase "they wrote me off, but I ain't write back though."
This has been the career of Smith. Believed to be a career backup, he never backed down. And when he was written off, he kept playing. He kept that chip on his shoulder.
Following the biggest payday of his career, it seems like nothing is changing. And Smith wouldn't want it any other way.
